Hot die roll leaf marking apparatus



Nov. 16, 1965 Filed Dec. 30, 1963 1. s. GOTTSCHO 3,217,638

HOT DIE ROLL LEAF MARKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 /00 III I 0 6 O OINVENTOR. fir GorrsCI-IO ATTORNEY Nov. 16, 1965 I. s. GOTTSCHO 3,217,638

HOT DIE ROLL LEAF MARKING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 50, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2OOO OO O O INVENTOR. Av: S Gorrsc #0 Fig 2.

Nov. 16, 1965 l. s. GOTTSCHO 3,

HOT DIE ROLL LEAF MARKING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 50, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Fi .i

INVENTOR //F# 8 G0 TTSCHO United States Patent Cfifice 3,217,638Patented Nov. 16, 1965 3 217 638 HOT pin norm LEAF IviARKiNG APPARATUSIra S. Gottscho, Milhurn, N..I., assignor to Adolph Gottsclio, Inc,Hillside, N1, a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 30, 1963, Ser. No.334,157 14 Claims. (Cl. 101-27) This invention relates generally tomarking apparatus, and more particularly is directed to improvements inmarking apparatus of the type wherein imprints are applied to a web orindividual lengths of sheet material from hot roll leaf stamping tapewhich is pressed against the sheet material by a heated die.

vMarking apparatus of the foregoing type is employed for marking webs orsheets of plastic material having a glossy surface to which permanentinked markings cannot be conveniently applied. In such apparatus, anunused portion of the tape is exposed to the action of the heated dieduring each of the successive marking operations. In order to achievethe foregoing, the heated die is moved away from the web or sheetmaterial to be marked during the intervals between successive markingoperations, at which time feeding of the hot roll leaf stamping tape iseffected, and the tape is at rest during each marking operation so as toavoid blurring of the marking or imprint.

In existing marking apparatus employing hot roll leaf stamping tape, forexample, as disclosed in U.S. Letters Patent No. 3,022,724, issuedFebruary 27, 1962, to Francis C. Worth, the sheet material to be markedis intermittently advanced between a fixed platen or support and aheated die which is movable toward and away from the platen, and the hotroll leaf stamping tape is fed along a path extending laterally withrespect to the direction of movement of the material to be marked from asupply reel or spool carrying fresh tape and being rotatably mounted atone side of the path of movement of the material to be marked to atake-up reel or spool rotatably mounted at the other side of the path ofmovement of the material to be marked and which has the used taperewound thereon.

In practice, the above described apparatus has a number ofdisadvantages, among which are the following:

If it is desired to apply a plurality of markings or legends atlocations spaced apart laterally across the web or sheet material duringeach marking operation, the feeding of the tape laterally with respectto the direction of movement of the material to be marked will result inwaste of those portions of the tape disposed between the regionscorresponding to the spaced apart markings. Further, by reason of thelateral feeding of the tape with respect to the direction of movement ofthe web or other sheet material, it is impossible to employ differentcolors for the laterally spaced apart markings applied during eachmarking operation of the apparatus. Since the unused tape is wound on asupply reel or spool, and the used tape is rewound on a take-up reel orspool, changes in the color, or width of the tape cannot be easilyachieved. Further, since the platen is fixed, there is the possibilitythat due to distortions in the frame of the apparatus or wear, thepressure of the heated die against the web over the platen will not beuniform throughout the area of contact, whereby the applied marking maynot be of uniform intensity.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatusapplying markings from hot roll leaf stamping tape to an intermittentlyadvanced web or sheet material, which apparatus is capable of applying aplurality of markings or legends at locations spaced apart laterallyacross the web during each marking operation,

while avoiding any waste of the tape, and further is capable of applyingsuch markings in different colors.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the described characterhaving an improved, simplified arrangement for holding the supply of hotroll leaf stamping tape and for taking up the used tape, sucharrangement being particularly suited for the convenient replacement ofthe tapes in the event of a change in the colors of the markings to beapplied or in the Width of such markings extending across the web.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the described characterwith an improved arrangement for ensuring separation of the hot rollleaf stamping tape from both the heated die or dies and from the webwhich has been marked, thereby to avoid interference with movement ofthe web following the marking thereof and also with the feedingmovements of the tape.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus of the describedcharacter with improved means defining adjustable back-up surfacesagainst which the web is marked, thereby to ensure that each heated dieexerts uniform pressure against the respective portions of the Web, evenwhen the latter is to be marked at a number of locations spaced apartlaterally with respect to the direction of movement of the web.

In accordance with an aspect of this invention, fresh hot roll leafstamping tape is unwound from a roll which merely rests in a firsttrough extending laterally above the web to be marked, and each tape isguided downwardly from the trough and then in the direction of movementof the material to be marked between a related heated die carried by avertically movable head and a platen or impression pad which isadjustably mounted on a support. The used tape is guided upwardly intofrictional contact with a feeding roller before being rewound in a rollwithin a take-up trough. The roll of rewound or used tape in the take-uptrough merely rests on a pair of parallel, continuously rotated take-uprollers effective to maintain tension in the tape as it is rewound, andthereby permitting reuse of the rewound tape in the event that theapplied markings do not extend across the entire width of the tape.Since the hot roll leaf stamping tape is fed over the web or sheetmaterial in the direction of movement of the latter, it is apparent thatindividual tapes may be used for the several markings to be spaced apartacross the web, thereby to avoid any waste in the hot roll leaf stampingtape by reason of the lateral spacing between the markings, and furtherpermitting the several laterally spaced apart markings to be indifferent colors.

In accordance with a further feature of this invention, each hot rollleaf stamping tape is guided between the related heated die andimpression pad by a guide assembly which is spring-urged to a relativelyelevated position so that, when the heated die is raised after a.marking opera tion, the hot roll leaf stamping tape is displacedupwardly, and thereby separated or stripped from the marked web to avoidany interference with subsequent movement of the Web, whereas thevertically movable head carrying the heated die or dies is effective todepress the guide assembly for the tape during the marking operation,thereby to apply the tape against the web for action thereon by theheated die.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention,will be apparent in the following detailed description of anillustrative embodiment thereof which is to be read in connection withthe accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a marking apparatus embodying thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the marking apparatus as viewed in thedirection of the arrows 22 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 33 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken along the line44 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 55 on FIG.3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, axial sectional view showing the drivingmechanism for the feeding roller of the marking apparatus; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 77 on FIG.6.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3thereof, it will be seen that the marking apparatus embodying thisinvention, and generally identified by the reference numeral 10, isthere shown mounted on a pair of parallel, laterally spaced aparthorizontal rails 12 between which the web or sheet material, indicatedat W on FIGS. 1 and 3, is intermittently advanced.

The illustrated apparatus has opposite side frame members 14 extendingvertically at the inside of the rails 12. Each side frame member 14 hasan enlarged head 16 projecting outwardly at its upper end to define adownwardly facing surface 18 which bears slidably on a bearing strip 20provided along the top edge of the ad jacent rail 12. Each side framemember 14 further has an outwardly directed lug 22 extending under thelower edge of the adjacent rail 12 and a set screw 24 threaded into abore in the lug 22 for engagement with the rail, thereby to lock theside frame member in an adjusted position along the rail.

The lower end portions of side frame members 14 are joined by a lowercross member 26 (FIGS. 2 and 3), and the upper ends of the side framemembers are joined by a top cross member 28 which is in the form of alaterally elongated plate having a downwardly open channel 30 againstits underside to increase the rigidity of the top cross member betweenthe side frame members. A laterally extending shaft 32 is journalled inthe heads 16 of side frame members 14 and has spur gears 34 secured onits end portions and meshing with gear racks 36 secured along the outersurface of rails 12. A hand wheel 38 is secured on one end of shaft 32to provide means by which the latter may be manually rotated afterloosening of set screws 24, thereby to displace the frame of apparatus10 along rails 12.

A cross head 40 (FIGS. 2 and 3) extends laterally between side framemembers 14 above the lower cross member 26 and has bearings 42 in itsopposite end portions 0 which are slidable 'on vertical guide rods 44extending between the top cross member 28 and projections 46 at theinner sides of side frame members 14. The end portions of cross head 40are further slidable on, and guided by tie rods 48 disposed inwardlywith respect to the guide rods 44 and having their upper end lower endsrespectively secured, as by nuts 50, to top cross member 28 and, as bynuts 52, to brackets 54 which extend inwardly from the lower endportions of side frame members 14. Such brackets 54 further support theend portions of the lower cross member 26 through which the tie rods 48also extend.

Mounted centrally on upper cross member 28 is a pneumatically operatedcylinder 56 (FIGS. 1 and 3) having a ram or piston rod 58 which extendsdownwardly through aligned openings in cross member 28 and channel 30and has its lower end suitably secured to the center of cross head 40.Thus, by suitable control of the supplying of compressed air or otherfluid under pressure to cylinder 56 in synchronism with the operation ofan associated machine, for example, an article wrapping machine, towhich the web W is intermittently fed, the cylinder 56 can be made toeffect downward movement of cross head 40 toward lower cross member 26whenever the web W is at rest, and to return the cross head 40 upwardlyaway from lower cross member 26 prior to the resumption of movement ofthe web.

A laterally elongated plate 60 and channel member 62 are secured to theunderside of cross head 40, as by screws 64 (FIG. 3), and a laterallyelongated heating block 66 having electrical heating elements 68 (FIG.2) embedded therein is secured to the underside of channel member 62, asby screws 70 (FIG. 3). Dies 72 for applying a plurality of laterallyarranged markings to the web W during each marking operation are securedto the underside of block 66 so as to be heated by the latter. As shownon FIG. 3, each of the dies 72 has flanges extending along its front andback edges so that the dies may be conveniently secured to the block 66by means of undercut bars 74 engaging the flanges of the dies 72 andsecured to block 66 by screws '76. When it is desired to replace orexchange the dies 72, it is only necessary to loosen the screws 76 topermit slidable removal of the dies from between the securing bars 74.As is apparent on FIG. 2, the several dies 72 may have different lateraldimensions and may be arranged in end abutting relationship or withlateral spacing therebetween.

An impression pad or platen 78 is provided under each die 72. Eachimpression pad 78 is secured or held downwardly on the lower crossmember 26 by means of a central screw 80 (FIG. 3) extending upwardlythrough a relatively larger bore in member 26 and tapped into a centralhole in the impression pad. Further, each impression pad '78 isadjustably leveled so that its upper surface will be exactly parallel tothe marking surface of the associated die 72 by means of four screws 82seating in sockets formed in the underside of the impression padadjacent the four corners of the latter, and being threaded throughblocks 84 which seat on ledges formed at the top of cross member 26.Thus, by turning the screws 82, the respective corners of the impressionpad '78 can be raised or lowered relative to the supporting cross member26. Since the impression pads 78 are individually adjustable withrespect to the supporting cross member 26, it is possible to ensure thatthe several dies 72 will apply uniform pressure to the respectiveportions of the web W against the related impression pads when head 40is moved downwardly by the operation of cylinder 56. Thus, even thoughthe markings to be applied to the web may be extended over a substantiallateral distance, there is no danger that the markings wil not be ofuniform intensity by reason of any distortion or inaccuracies inconstruction of the frame of apparatus 10.

In accordance with this invention, the hot roll leaf stamping tape Tfrom which markings are applied to the web W by the pressure of heateddies is fed in the direction of movement of the web during the intervalsbetween successive marking operations so that unused tape is exposed tothe action of the heated dies during each marking operation. Since thetape is fed in the direction of movement of the web past the dies, anindividual tape can be provided for each of the dies 72 arrangedlaterally across the path of movement of the web. In the intervalbetween successive marking operations of apparatus 10, all the tapes Tare fed a distance equal to the largest dimension of any of the markingsin the direction of movement of the web, and the length of such feedingmovement is not at all governed by the lateral spacing between the dies72. Thus, even when dies 72 are spaced apart laterally to providecorrespondingly spaced apart markings, there is no need to wasteportions of the hot roll leaf stamping tape by providing correspondingunused areas of the tape between the portions used for the markings.Further, the use of separate tapes for the several dies makes itpossible to employ differently colored tapes for forming the severalmarkings arranged laterally across the web W.

In the illustrated apparatus 10, the supply of fresh tape to be used inmarking the web W is in the form of rolls S thereof which merely rest inan upwardly opening, substantially semi-cylindrical trough 86 supported,at its opposite ends, by brackets 88. The brackets 88 are, in turn,secured to side frame plates 90, as by screws 92, and the plates 90, asshown on FIG. 1, have lower legs or horizontal portions thereof secured,as by screws 94, on top of upper cross member 28 adjacent the ends ofthe latter. As shown on FIG. 3, each tape T is unwound from the bottomof its supply roll S and passes under and then over a pair of rods 96and 98 which extend parallel to each other between brackets 88 above theback edges of trough 86 so as to frictionally tension the tapes beingdrawn from the several supply rolls. In order to axially locate theseveral supply rolls S within the trough 86, a rod 100 extends betweenbracket 88 adjacent the forward edge of trough 86, and spacers or guidemembers 102 are mounted on the rod 100 and extend into the trough 86 atthe opposite sides of each roll S. Each spacer or guide member 102 has aset screw 104 engageable with the rod 100 to hold the guide member in anadjusted axial position within the trough 86. Thus, the guide members102 are adjustably arranged to locate the several supply rolls S inalignment with the respective heated dies 72 in the direction extendinglaterally across the marking appartus.

After passing around the tensioning rod 08, the several tapes T rundownwardly in back of upper cross member 28 and head 40 and under aguide roll 106 which extends laterally above the path of movement of webW at a location in back of the cross member 26 on which the impressionpads 78 are mounted. The tapes T extend forwardly from guide rod 106,that is, in the direction of movement of the web W, and under a guiderod 108 which extends laterally across the Web W in front of the lowercross member 26 (FIG. 3). Intermediate guide rode 106 and 108, the tapesT pass over the laterally extending portions of generally U-shaped guidewires 110 and 112 extending radially from collars 114 which areadjustably secured on guide rods 106 and 108, respectively (FIG. 5). Itwill be apparent that the individual tapes T are laterally guided inpassing around the rods 106 and 108 by the collars 114 supporting therespective guide wires 110 and 112.

As shown particularly on FIG. 4 with respect to guide rod 108, the endsof both guide rods 106 and 108 have flattened sides, as at 116, and arevertically slidable in elongated slots 118 formed in support brackets120. The brackets 120 are generally L-shaped and are secured, as byscrews 122, to elongated support members 124 which extend laterally infront and in back of the lower cross member 26 (FIG. 3) and have theirends secured,

as by screws 128, to side frame members 14 (FIGS. 2

and 5). Thus, the guide rods 106 and 108 and the respective guide wires110 and 112 are movable vertically relative to the lower cross member 26and the impression pads 78 mounted on the latter. Springs 130 areprovided in the brackets 120 and act upwardly on the respective ends ofguide rods 106 and 108 to yieldably urge the latter to raised positionsat which the laterally extending portions of guide wires 110 and 112 arespaced upwardly from the path of movement of the web W, as shown on FIG.4. The raised positions of the guide rods 106 and 108 are adjustablydetermined by set screws 132 provided in the brackets 120 and projectinginto the slots 118 for limiting the upward travel of the ends of theguide rods within such slots.

During the intervals between successive marking operations, that is,when the head 40 is moved upwardly by cylinder 56 and the web W is movedover the impression pads, the upward movement by spring 130 of guiderods 106 and 108 and the respective guide wires 110 and 112 ensures thatthe several tapes T will be vertically separated from the web andthereby avoid any interference with the advancement of the latter.However, upon downward movement of head 40 during each markingoperation, actuating members, for example, in the form of screws 134 and136 depending adjustably from blocks 138 secured to the back and front,respectively, of the opposite end portions of channel member 62, actdownwardly on the opposite end portions of guide rods 106 and 108,respectively, so as to move the latter downwardly until the guide wiresand 112 rest upon the impression pads 78, as shown on FIG. 3. Thus, whenthe heated dies 72 are lowered to press the tapes against the webresting on the impression pads 78, the hot roll leaf stamping tapes aredisposed closely adjacent to the web and thereby any pulling of the tapeby reason of the marking operation is avoided. Upon the conclusion ofeach marking operation, the initial upward movement of the head 40, andhence of the screws 134 and 136 permits the rods 106 and 108 to returnto their normal raised positions, as shown on FIG. 4, thereby effectingseparation of the tapes from the web, as previously described herein,and further upward or return movement of head 40, following contact ofthe guide rods with abutment screws 132, serves to separate the heateddies from the hot roll leaf stamping tapes. Thus, there is no dangerthat, during the intervals between successive marking operations,adherence of the tapes to the heated dies 72 will interfere with thefeeding movement of the several tapes.

The used tapes travel upwardly from guide rod 108 and pass over theupper half of the circumference of a feeding roller 140 which is rotatedduring each interval be tween successive marking operations, ashereinafter described in detail, to positively elfect the feeding of apredetermined length of each of the tapes T in the direction from guiderod 106 to guide rod 108, that is, in the direction of movement of theweb W. In order to ensure adequate frictional contact between thesurface of feeding roller 140 and the tapes T, the latter are pressedagainst roller 140, at the front of the latter, by a freely rotatablepressure roller 142 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which is journalled in arms 144pivotally suspended, as at 146, from side frame plates 90. The arms 144are acted upon by springs 148 (FIG. 3) effective to urge pressure roller142 against feeding roller 140. The several tapes T travel underpressure roller 142 and then upwardly and over the back edge of anupwardly opening, substantially semi-cylindrical trough 150 whichextends laterally between side frame plates 90 at a location in frontof, and below the trough 86 receiving the supply rolls S. The used tapeT is rewound within trough 150 so as to form rolls R. The rewound rollsR merely rest within the trough 150 in rolling contact with a pair oflaterally extending rewinding rollers 152 which project upwardly throughslots extending laterally across the bottom of trough 150. The shafts154 of rollers 152 are journalled in side frame plates 90 and, at oneend, carry sprockets 156 engaged by an end less chain 158 driven by asprocket 1:56 on the shaft of a motor 162. The motor 162 is supported bya bracket 164 extending from the adjacent side frame plate 90. The motor162 is continuously operated, thereby to continuously rotate therewinding rollers 152. By reason of the frictional rolling contact ofthe rewinding rollers 152 with the rolls R of rewound tape in the trough150, such rolls R are continuously urged to rotate in the direction forrewinding the used tape, thereby to maintain the desired tension in thelatter between feeding roller 140 and the rewound rolls. Thus, the tapeis rewound tightly on the rolls R so as to permit the reuse of such tapein the event that the markings applied therefrom have not extendedacross the entire width of the tape. Guide members 16-6, which aresimilar to the previously mentioned guide members 102, are provided inthe trough 150 for axially locating the rewound rolls R. The guidemembers 166 are adjustably mounted on a rod 168 extending laterallybetween side frame plates 90 above the front edge of trough 150. Theused tapes may be rewound merely on cores, in which case the rollers 152directly contact the periphery of rolls R, or the used tape may berewound on reels having circular cheeks engaged, at their peripheries,by rollers 152.

As shown on FIG. 6, the feeding roller 140 includes a tubular body 170having a rubber or other layer 172 thereon providing a good frictionalgrip with respect to the tapes T. The tubular body 170 is fixed on asleeve 174 which telescopes over a drive shaft 176 and is rotatablymounted with respect to the latter by means of bearings 178. Thus, thefeeding roller 140 may remain at rest while its drive shaft 176continues to turn. The drive shaft 176 is journalled, at its oppositeends, in side frame plates 90 and a spur gear 180 is rotatably coupledto one end of drive shaft 176 through a conventionl one-way clutch 182(FIG. 6). The spur gear 180 is in meshing engagement with a gear rack184 (FIG. 1) which is vertically movable in a guide 13-6 secured to theadjacent side frame plate 90. The gear rack 184 is further in meshingengagement with a spur gear 188 which is freely rotatable on a stubshaft 190 extending from an upright support 192. The upright support 192is adjustably mounted on a bracket 194 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which is, inturn, secured to the front side of channel member 62 adjacent one end ofthe latter. Thus, spur gear 188 is moved vertically with head 40 duringthe downward and upward strokes of the latter by cylinder 56. Spur gear188 also meshes with a fixed gear rack 196 (FIG. 1) secured to the sameside frame plate 90 as the guide 186 for movable gear rack 184.

At the conclusion of each marking operation, the upward movement of head40 from the position shown on FIG. 3 causes spur gear 188 to movevertically upward and to roll along fixed gear rack 196. During suchupward movement of gear 188, the meshing engagement of the latter withgear rack 184 also causes upward displacement of the latter, but througha distance which is twice as large as the upward displacement of theaxis of gear 188. Further, the meshing engagement of gear rack 184 withgear 180 effects turning of the latter in response to the upwarddisplacement of rack 184. When gears 180 and 188 have the same pitchdiameter, as in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, thedescribed arrangement of the gears and gear racks causes turning of thegear 180 through an angle twice as large as the angular displacement ofgear 188. Thus, a relatively short upward stroke of the head 40 iseffective to produce a relatively large angular displacement of the gear180 secured to drive shaft 176.

In order to effect the positive intermittent rotation of the feedingroller 140 from the drive shaft 176, a ratchet wheel 198 is secured onone end of sleeve 174 and is intermittently engaged by a pawl assembly200 that turns with the drive shaft 176. The pawl assembly 200 includesan arm 202 extending radially from shaft 176 and being secured to thelatter, as by a set screw 204. A pawl member 206 is rockably mounted, atone end, on a pivot 208 carried by the free end of arm 202 and has anose engageable with the peripheral teeth of ratchet wheel 198. Atension spring 210 is connected between the pawl 206 and arm 202 to urgethe pawl member to rock relative to its arm for engaging the nose of thepawl with the teeth of the ratchet wheel. So long as the nose of pawlmember 206 engages the teeth of ratchet wheel 198, as shown on FIG. 7,the feeding roller 140 is positively driven from the drive shaft 176.However, the apparatus further includes a radial cam assembly 212 whichis fixedly mounted on a sleeve 214 secured in the adjacent frame plate90 and forming a holder for bearings 216 in which an end portion ofdrive shaft 176 is rotatably mounted. The periphery of cam assembly 212is engaged by a cam follower roller 218 which is rotatable on an axleextending laterally from the free end of pawl 206. Thus, when the camfollower roller 218 rides on a radially enlarged portion of the camassembly 212, the pawl 206 is rocked relative to the arm 202 in thedirection for disengaging the nose of the pawl from the teeth of ratchetwheel 198. On the other hand, when the cam follower roller engages theportion of the cam assembly 212 having relatively small radialdimensions, the spring 210 can then act to rock the pawl 206 so as toengage the nose of the latter with the ratchet wheel teeth.

It will be seen that the distance through which the tapes T are advancedduring each interval between succesive marking operations of apparatus10 will depend upon the angular extent of the radially large portion ofthe cam assembly 212 which determines the portion of the angulardisplacement of drive shaft 176 during which the pawl assembly 200 isdisengaged from the ratchet wheel 198. In order to permit the distancethrough which the tapes are advanced to be adjusted so as tosubstantially correspond to the dimension of the dies 72 in thedirection of movement of the web, which dimension may vary byreplacement of the dies, the cam assembly 212 preferably includes tworadial cams 220 aand 222 disposed side by side with the cam 220 having ahollow hub turnable on the sleeve 214 and the cam 222 having a largerhollow hub which is turnable on the hub of cam 220. The cam 220 issecured adjustably on sleeve 214 by a set screw 224, while the cam 222is adjustably secured relative to cam 220 by a set screw 226. Thus, thecam 222 can be angularly adjusted relative to the cam 220 in order tovary the effective overall angular extent of the radially raisedportions of both cams.

It will be apparent that, with the apparatus 10, the web W can have aplurality of markings applied thereacross during each marking operation,that is, during each period when the web is at rest. Since an individualtape T is associated with each of the heated dies '72, the width of suchtape can be selected to correspond substantially to the lateraldimension of the associated die, thereby to most economically utilizethe hot roll leaf stamping tape. Further, as previously mentioned, theseveral supply rolls S of tape may be of different colors, therebypermitting the simultaneous marking of the web in different colors.Further, since the several tapes are fed in the direction of movement ofthe web, the distances through which the several tapes are fed aftereach marking operation are determined only by the dimensions of theheated dies in the direction parallel to the movement of the web, and,therefore, relatively large lateral spacings between the several diesneed not cause waste in the tape material. Further, it will be seen thatthe described arrangement occupies only a small space along the path ofmovement of web W, and thus may be employed for marking the latter atlocations where a substantial distance along the path is not freelyavailable.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been describedin detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to that preciseembodiment, and that various changes and modifications may be effectedtherein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope orspirit of the invention, except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for applying markings from hot roll leaf stamping tape to aweb advanced intermittently along a path of movement, said apparatuscomprising back-up means disposed below said path of movement of the webto support the latter during the marking thereof,

heated die means mounted above said back-up means for substantiallyvertical movement toward and away from the latter,

means for moving said heated die means downwardly toward said back-upmeans from an inoperative position raised from the latter and forreturning said die means to said inoperative position during intervalsbetween successive advancements of the web,

first and second upwardly open, substantially semicylindrical troughsmounted above said path of movement of the web,

at least one supply roll of fresh hot roll leaf stamping tape resting insaid first trough for unwinding of fresh tape therefrom,

a take-up roll in said second trough for each supply roll in said firsttrough and on which used tape is rewound,

guide means leading the tape from each supply roll in said first troughalong a path extending to the related take-up roll in said second troughand which includes an intermediate portion between said die means andsaid path of movement of the web, which intermediate portion is in thedirection of the intermittent advancement of the web,

continuously rotated take-up roller means projecting into said secondtrough and peripherally engaging each take-up roll in the latter to urgesaid take-up roll to rewind used tape thereon, and

feeding roller means engaging each tape at a location along said path ofthe latter between said intermediate portion and said second trough,said feeding roller means being turned in response to the return of saiddie means to said inoperative position, thereby to draw a predeterminedlength of each tape from the supply roll for exposing unused tape tosaid die means.

2. Apparatus for applying markings from hot roll leaf stamping tape to aweb advanced intermittently along a path of movement, said apparatuscomprising back-up means disposed below said path of movement of the webto support the latter during the marking thereof,

heated die means mounted above said back-up means for substantiallyvertical movement toward and away from the latter,

means for moving said heated die means downwardly toward said back-upmeans from an inoperative position raised from the latter and forreturning said die means to said inoperative position during intervalsbetween successive movements of the web,

at least one supply roll of stamping tape mounted for unwinding of thetape therefrom,

a take-up roll for each supply roll and being mounted for rewinding ofthe tape thereon,

guide means leading the tape from each supply roll to the relatedtake-up roll along a path having an intermediate portion extending inthe direction of said path of movement of the web and being disposedbetween the latter and said die means, said guide means being movable toa limited extent toward and away from said path of movement of the webin response to the movement of said die means downwardly from saidinoperative position and the return movement to said inoperativeposition, respectively, thereby to ensure separation of the tape fromthe web and the heated die means,

means urging each take-up roll to rotate in the direction J forrewinding used tape thereon, and

feeding roller means engaging each tape at a location along said paththereof between said intermediate portion and said take-up roll, andbeing turned in response to the return of said die means to saidinoperative position, thereby to draw a predetermined length of eachtape from the supply roll for exposing unused tape to said heated diemeans.

3. Apparatus for applying markings from hot roll leaf stamping tape to aweb advanced intermittently along a path of movement, said apparatuscomprising back-up means disposed below said path of movement of the webto support the latter during the marking thereof,

heated die means mounted above said back-up means 10 for substantiallyvertical movement toward and away from the latter,

means for moving said heated die means downward-1y toward said back-upmeans from an inoperative po sition raised from the latter and forreturning said die means to said inoperative position during intervalsbetween successive movements of the web,

first and second upwardly open, substantially semicylindrical troughsmounted above said path of movement of the web,

at least one supply roll of fresh hot roll leaf stamping tape resting insaid first trough for unwinding of fresh tape therefrom,

a take-up roll in said second trough for each supply roll in said firsttrough and on which used tape is rewound,

guide means leading the tape from each supply roll in said first troughto the related take-up roll in said second trough along a path having anintermediate portion extending in the direction of said path of movementof the web and being disposed between the latter and said die means,said guide means being movable to a limited extent toward and away fromsaid path of movement of the web in response to the movement of said diemeans downwardly from said inoperative position and the return movementto said inoperative position, respectively, thereby to ensure separationof the tape from the web and the heated die means,

continuously rotated take-up roller means projecting into said secondtrough and peripherally engaging each take-up roll in the latter to urgesaid take-up roll to rewind used tape thereon, and

feeding roller means engaging each tape at a location along said path ofthe latter between said intermediate portion and said second trough,said feeding roller means being turned in response to the return of saiddie means to said inoperative position, thereby to draw a predeterminedlength of each tape from the supply roll for exposing unused tape tosaid die means.

4. Apparatus for applying a plurality of markings laterally across a webadvanced intermittently along a path of movement, said apparatuscomprising frame means through which said path of movement extends,

back-up means mounted in said frame means below said path of movement ofthe web to support the latter during the marking thereof,

a plurality of dies arranged laterally with respect to said path ofmovement and being mounted above said back-up means for substantiallyvertical movement relative to said frame means toward and away from saidback-up means,

means for moving said dies downwardly toward said back-up means from aninoperative position raised from the latter and for returning saidl diesto said inoperative position during intervals between successivemovements of the web,

first and second upwardly open, substantially semicylindnical troughsmounted on said frame, means above said path of movement of the web andextending laterally relative to the latter,

a plurality of supply rolls of stamping tape arranged laterally andresting loosely in said first trough for unwinding of fresh tapetherefrom,

a plurality of take-up rolls arranged laterally in said second troughand on which used tape from the respective supply rolls is rewound,

guide means leading the tape from each supply roll in said first troughalong a path extending to the related take-up roll in said second troughand which includes an intermediate portion between said die means andsaid path of movement of the the web,

which intermediate portion is in the direction of the intermittentadvancement of the web,

continuously rotated take-up roller means projecting into said secondtrough and peripherally engaging said take-up rolls in the later to urgesaid take-up rolls to rewind used tape thereon, and

feeding roller means engaging the tapes at a location along said path ofthe latter between said intermediate portion and said second trough,said feeding roller means being turned in response to the return of saiddies to said inoperative position, thereby to draw predetermined lengthsof the tapes from said supply rolls for exposure of unused tape to saiddies.

5. Apparatus for applying a plurality of laterally arranged markings toa Web advanced intermittently along a path of movement, said apparatuscomprising frame means through which said path of movement extends,

back-up means mounted in said frame below said path of movement of theweb to support the latter during the marking thereof,

a laterally extending head mounted above said backup means forsubstantially vertical movement toward and away from the latter,

a plurality of dies arranged along the bottom of said head,

means for vertically stroking said head, thereby to move said diesdownwardly toward said back-up means from an inoperative position raisedfrom the latter and to return said die means to said inoperativeposition during intervals between successive movemeans of the web,

a supply roll of stamping tape for each of said dies,

means supporting the supply rolls on said frame for turning aboutlaterally extending axes,

a take-up roll for rewinding the tape from each supply roll,

means supporting the take-up rolls for turning about laterally extendingaxes,

guide means leading the tapes from the supply rolls to the relatedtake-up rolls along parallel paths having intermediate portionsextending in the direction of said path of movement of the web and beingdisposed between the latter and said dies,

means urging said take-up rolls to rotate in the direction for rewindingused tape thereon, and

feeding roller means engaging the tapes at a location along said paththereof between said intermediate portion and said take-up rolls, andbeing turned in response to the return of said dies to said inoperativeposition, thereby to draw predetermined lengths of tape from the supplyrolls for exposing unused tape to said dies.

6. Apparatus as in claim wherein said frame includes a cross-member, andsaid back-up means includes impression pads arranged under said dies onsaid cross-member, and means individually adjusting each of saidimpression pads relative to said cross-member.

7. Apparatus as in claim 5;

wherein said guide means includes laterally extending guide rodsarranged in front and in back of the plane of vertical movement of saidhead and having the tapes passing under said guide rods, guide wiresextending from said guide rods and having laterally extending portionsover which the tapes pass, means mounting said guide rods for limitedvertical movement relative to said frame, means yieldably urging saidguide rods upwardly to space the tapes passing over said guide wiresfrom the web, and means extending from said head and engageable withsaid guide rods to move the latter downwardly upon downward stroking ofsaid head.

8. Apparatus as in claim 5; wherein said means supporting the supplyrolls includes a laterally extending,

upwardly open trough of substantially semi-cylindrical cross-section inwhich the supply rolls rest, and guide members extending across saidtrough at locations spaced apart along the latter to axially locate saidsupply rolls in the trough.

9. Apparatus as in claim 5;

wherein said means supporting the take-up rolls includes a laterallyextending, upwardly open trough of substantially semi-cylindricalcross-section in which the take-up rolls rest, and guide membersextending across said trough at locations spaced apart along the latterto axially locate said take-up rolls in the trough.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9; wherein said means urging the take-up rollsto rotate includes a pair of laterally extending rollers rotatablymounted below said trough, said trough having slots in the bottomthereof through which said rollers project upwardly for rolling contactwith said take-up rolls, and means for effecting substantiallycontinuous rotation of said pair of rollers.

11. Apparatus as in claim 5;

wherein said feeding roller means includes a laterally extending shaftjournalled in said frame means, a roller freely rotatable on said shaftand having its surface in contact with the tapes, a first gear coaxialwith said shaft, means rotatably coupling said first gear with saidshaft, a vertically movable gear rack meshing with said first gear toturn the latter, a second gear meshing with said movable gear rack,means mounting said second gear for vertical movement with said head, afixed gear rack also meshing with said second gear so that verticalmovement of the latter causes relatively increased vertical movement ofsaid movable gear rack, and means for coupling said roller to said shaftduring turning of the latter through an adjustably predetermined angle.

12. Apparatus for applying a plurality of laterally arranged markingsfrom hot roll leaf stamping tape to a web advanced intermittently alonga path of movement, said apparatus comprising frame means through whichsaid path of movement of the web extends,

back-up means mounted in said frame below said path of movement of theweb to support the latter during the marking thereof,

a laterally extending head mounted above said back-up means forsubstantially vertical movement toward and away from the latter andhaving a heated block,

a plurality of dies arranged laterally along the bottom of said blockand being releasably secured to the latter for heating by said block,

means for vertically stroking said head, thereby moving said heated diesdownwardly toward said backup means from an inoperative position raisedfrom the latter and for returning said dies to said inoperative positionduring intervals between successive movements of the web,

first and second upwardly open, substantially semicylindrical troughsmounted on said frame means above said path of movement of the web andextending laterally relative to the latter,

a plurality of supply rolls of fresh hot roll leaf stamping tape restingin said first trough for unwinding of fresh tape therefrom.

a plurality of take-up rolls in said second trough and on which usedtape is rewound from the respective supply rolls,

guide means leading the tapes from said supply rolls in said firsttrough to the related take-up rolls in said second trough along parallelpaths having intermediate portions extending in the direction of saidpath of movement of the Web between the latter and said dies,

continuously rotated take-up roller means projecting into said secondtrough and peripherally engaging said take-up rolls in the latter tourge said take-up rolls to rewind used tape thereon, and

feeding roller means engaging said tapes at a location along said pathsof the latter between said intermediate portions and said secondtroughs, said feed ing roller means being turned in response to thereturn of said dies to said inoperative position, thereby to drawpredetermined lengths of tape from said supply rolls for exposure ofunused tape to said dies.

13. Apparatus as in claim 12;

wherein each of said dies has flanges extending along the front and backedges thereof, and further comprising undercut bars releasably securedto the underside of said block and engaging said flanges of the dies forholding the latter to said block.

14. Apparatus as in claim 12;

wherein said frame means includes a cross-member extending below saidpath of movement of the web and having laterally spaced bores extendingvertically therethrough; and said back-up means includes a generallyrectangular impression pad for each of said dies and having a centraltapped hole,

an anchor screw extending loosely through one of said bores of thecross-member and threaded into said central tapped bore of theimpression pad, four adjustment screws for each pad engaging the latteradjacent the corners of the latter, and nuts on said adjustment screwsresting on said cross-member to permit angular adjustment of each padrelative to the respective die.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,978,790 10/1934Gould et al. 101--27 2,011,949 8/1935 Roberts 101-27 2,621,435 12/1952Weber 101-27 2,884,094 7/1958 Gruver 101134.5 2,925,773 2/1960 Kingsley10111 3,022,724 2/1962 Worth 10127 3,075,457 1/1963 Worth 101-273,135,198 6/1964 Kingsley l01407 WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR APPLYING MARKINGS FROM HOT ROLL LEAF STAMPING TAPE TO AWEB ADVANCED INTERMITTENTLY ALONG A PATH OF MOVEMENT, SAID APPARATUSCOMPRISING BACK-UP MEANS DISPOSED BELOW SAID PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE WEBTO SUPPORT THE LATTER DURING THE MARKING THEREOF, HEATED DIE MEANSMOUNTED ABOVE SAID BACK-UP MEANS FOR SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL MOVEMENTTOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE LATTER, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID HEATED DIE MEANSDOWNWARDLY TOWARD SAID BACK-UP MEANS FROM AN INOPERATIVE POSITION RAISEDFROM THE LATTER AND FOR RETURNING SAID DIE MEANS TO SAID INOPERATIVEPOSITION DURING INTERVALS BETWEEN SUCCESSIVE ADVANCEMENTS OF THE WEB,FIRST AND SECOND UPWARDLY OPEN, SUBSTANTIALLY SEMICYLINDRICAL TROUGHSMOUNTED ABOVE SAID PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE WEB, AT LEAST ONE SUPPLY ROLLOF FRESH HOT ROLL LEAF STAMPING TAPE RESTING IN SAID FIRST TROUGH FORUNDWINDING OF FRESH TAPE THEREFROM, A TAKE-UP ROLL IN SAID SECOND TROUGHFOR EACH SUPPLY ROLL IN SAID FIRST TROUGH AND ON WHICH USED TAPE ISREWOUND, GUIDE MEANS LEADING THE TAPE FROM EACH SUPPLY ROLL IN SAIDFIRST TROUGH ALONG A PATH EXTENDING TO THE RELATED TAKE-UP ROLL IN SAIDSECOND TROUGH AND WHICH INCLUDES AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION BETEEN SAID DIEMEANS AND SAID PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE WEB, WHICH INTERMEDIATE PORTIONIS IN THE DIRECTION OF THE INTERMITTENT ADVANCEMENT OF THE WEB,CONTINUOUSLY ROTATED TAKE-UP ROLLER MEANS PROJECTING INTO SAID SECONDTROUGH AND PERIPHERALLY ENGAGING EACH TAKE-UP ROLL IN THE LATTER TO URGESAID TAKE-UP ROLL TO REWIND USED TAPE THEREON, AND FEEDING ROLLER MEANSENGAGING EACH TAPE AT A LOCATION ALONG SAID PATH OF THE LATTER BETWEENSAID INTERMEDIATE PORTION AND SAID SECOND TROUGH, SAID FEEDING ROLLERMEANS BEING TURNED IN RESPONSE TO THE RETURN OF SAID DIE MEANS TO SAIDINOPERATIVE POSITION, THEREBY TO DRAW A PREDETERMINED LENGTH OF EACHTAPE FROM THE SUPPLY ROLL FOR EXPOSING UNUSED TAPE TO SAID DIE MEANS.